Changes coming to UC’s Commencement

An exciting renovation of Fifth-Third arena left UC seniors wondering: where exactly will they graduate? The commencement controversy began when the school wouldn’t commit to where graduation would take place. Now we know Nippert Stadium is where the caps will fly—for the first time in decades.

Rumors spread that new graduates wouldn’t hear their names called or walk across the stage. Rest assured that the tradition of name reading and personal congratulations from the UC president will continue. This spring class will be the first to have the moment captured with UC’s new president Neville Pinto.

But there are some other changes in store for the class of 2017.

The ceremony will be longer: in the past UC split graduation into two ceremonies, but this year the school combined them into one. Nippert is also a larger venue, seating more than 40,000, so there will be a great crowd and opportunity for all undergraduates to celebrate together.

Pinto is giving his first commencement address and graduates will receive a newly designed diploma cover.

The commencement reception has moved from the Alumni Center to Sheakley Lawn because of construction, which will be very convenient since Sheakley is right around the corner from Nippert.

Senior Class Officers organized the “Senior Stride” where graduates will have their last walk “Down the Drive” as a class, at 9 p.m on Thursday, April 27th.